Florida beach tragedy: Couple perishes in powerful rip current during family vacation.
On a Thursday afternoon, the couple, Brian Warter, aged 51, and Erica Wishard, 48, went swimming with two of their teenagers. Their outing took a tragic turn as they encountered a riptide, according to witnesses, losing control to the ocean's force.
Joining them on vacation, were more children, seven in total, traveling with the family of eight in Florida. The sheriff's office disclosed this to CNN affiliate WPEC.
"Walter and Wishard stepped straight into a riptide, as per our witnesses, instantly falling prey to the ocean's might," Chief Deputy John Budensiek explained to CNN affiliate WPBF.
The teens managed to break free of the current but struggled to aid the adults when the situation became too risky, forcing them to swim back to shore.
Budensiek told WPEC, "They're teenagers, they haven't even hit their 20s yet. They've been through two intense situations."
Regrettably, despite valiant efforts from the Martin County Ocean Rescue, paramedics, and doctors at Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital, the couple couldn't be revived.
The children were under the supervision of the Martin County Sheriff’s Crisis Intervention Team while awaiting the arrival of other family members in Florida.
"They were on the beach and saw their parents drown. They witnessed the resuscitation attempts on the beach. They were at the hospital during some resuscitation attempts, so they're highly traumatized," Budensiek said to WPEC.
Rip currents are strong currents that flow outward from the shoreline towards the ocean. Even a strong swimmer can be swept away rapidly if caught in a riptide, as explained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Rip currents commonly form at gaps in sandbars and near structures like jetties and piers. The United States Life Saving Association notes that rip currents account for over 80% of rescues carried out by lifeguards on surf beaches.
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Despite the family's tragic loss, the other children continued their vacation in Florida with the support of the Martin County Sheriff’s Crisis Intervention Team.It's crucial for families visiting Florida beaches to be aware of the risks associated with rip currents, as us, even strong swimmers, can be swept away quickly.
